Dora senior running back Jayden Griffin is having one of those rare, magical seasons a football player at any level would love to experience.
His rushing campaign has totaled over 2,300 yards and 33 touchdowns on the year, surpassing the prep totals of former Alabama star T.J. Yeldon, Auburn’s “Roc” Thomas, and Kentucky’s Tony Dixon, among others in the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) record books.
Griffin finished the regular season second in the state in rushing yards, as well as eighth nationally in the same category by MaxPreps. He averaged 234.2 yards per game and 11.77 yards per carry.
“Coming into the season, I knew I brought experience that the team would need, but what we’ve been able to do is incredible,” Griffin said. “The challenges we’ve faced this year have made us stronger for it.”
Griffin’s junior season brought plenty of success itself, helping fuel a positive outlook for 2024. He rushed for 1,433 yards and scored 18 touchdowns–numbers that made his coaches smile and propelled him to a successful campaign in his senior season.
Quick to credit his teammates for their overall effort, Griffin stated the commitment that had been shown during the offseason is evident when excellent blocking allows for big plays. “You could tell from the start of the season that as an offense, we had paid attention to details and improved how we were working together,” Griffin said. “Without the line putting in the work they do every week, along with the tight ends and receivers helping on the outside, we wouldn’t have had this success. Some people might not look at blocking as glamorous, but little is going to work without it.”
Dora (6-4) has had its share of adversity in 2024. The team started 0-2, losing to Minor and Corner— both larger schools who are playoff-bound. A three-game region winning streak against Fayette County, Hamilton, and Fultondale turned the season around, but a midseason loss to Jasper halted the team’s momentum. Another three-game winning streak helped turn the tide in Dora’s favor, with the Bulldogs’ only loss to a Class 4A team coming against Good Hope in the regular season finale.
Griffin’s playmaking ability has been crucial for the Bulldogs. He rushed for back-to-back 300-yard games against Curry and Cordova—scoring five touchdowns against each—and his 343 yards rushing and five touchdowns against Cordova all came in the first half. He scored five touchdowns apiece in wins over Hamilton and Haleyville.
Demonstrating a diverse skill set, Griffin has also passed for 239 yards and a touchdown, caught seven passes for 127 yards and three scores, and on special teams, he serves as the team’s punter and returner. Defensively, he has totaled 33 tackles, two quarterback sacks, a fumble recovery, and an interception.
“He’s been a great leader and competitor. Every day you watch him and practice and can’t be proud of what you see from Jayden,” Dora head football coach Chavis Williams said. “No one outside of our locker room knows how hard he works, but those guys on the team with him will tell you. He’s a wonderful part of a very fun group to coach.”
With the Bulldogs securing a playoff bid and hosting Brooks in the first round of the postseason, the star running back has more opportunity to add to his rushing total on the year and make more history.
Griffin, however, has another special goal in mind to make his senior season complete.
“A state championship is the ultimate goal. Running for 3,000 doesn’t compare to us winning it all, as without my teammates, I wouldn’t be able to do what I have been—I want to win a title with them,” Griffin said. “My coaches and my teammates are what drives me, together with my family. I run for them.” TG
Photos by Al Blanton
